Bachelor of Oral Health B.OralHlth

2009

Program Outline

The practice of oral health deals with the control and prevention of oral disease through treatment and education of clients. Oral health graduates from Adelaide will have the knowledge, skills and attributes to enable them to practice at the highest level.  Our graduates will strive through their advocacy and clinical practice to empower individuals and communities to maintain optimum oral health throughout their lives.

The Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH) focuses on the development of competence in clinical examination and diagnosis of dental disease; the formulation of individual treatment plans for clients; control and prevention of dental diseases by clinical treatment and preventative procedures; and education of clients and the community towards patterns of behaviour conducive to good oral health.

Graduates will have the necessary education to work as dental therapists and dental hygienists under the supervision of a dentist. Dental therapists provide dentistry including fillings for children and adolescents. Dental hygienists treat patients of all ages with an emphasis on cleaning and preventative dental treatments. Graduates from the BOH form an integral part of the dental team working with dentists, dental technicians and assistants.

Related Programs

• Bachelor of Dentistry
• Honours Degree of Bachelor of Science in Dentistry

Admission Information

Admissions information for domestic and international students.

Domestic

Selection criteria:	Year 12 applicants 2008 Commonwealth-supported TER: 70 You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent (48 units) university study. You must have gained a 'Recorded Achievement' in four SACE Stage 2 HESS (Higher Education Selection Subjects) General subjects (or interstate/International Baccalaureate equivalents). For a full list of SACE subjects and their HESS status please refer to the SATAC Tertiary Entrance Booklet. A Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER) of 70 or above must be achieved. You must sit the Undergraduate Medicine & Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) and top UMAT performers must also attend a structured oral assessment. Applications will be ranked on the basis of all 3 components: the UMAT, oral assessment and TER. Higher Education applicants You must have completed at least half a year full time equivalent higher education study, achieving at least a pass average (a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.0 or more). You must sit the Undergraduate Medicine & Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) and top UMAT performers must also attend a structured oral assessment. Applications will be ranked on the basis of all 3 components: the UMAT, oral assessment and GPA. VET applicants You must have completed an AQF Diploma or above. You must sit the Undergraduate Medicine & Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) and top UMAT performers must also attend a structured oral assessment. Applications will be ranked on the basis of all 3 components: the UMAT, oral assessment and level of VET qualification. Special Entry applicants You must meet the following criteria: you must be 21 years or over on January 1st of the year that you will be studying*, you must not hold a completed higher education level award, and if you have been enrolled in a course leading to a higher education level award in the last 3 years, you must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study. If you meet this criteria, you will be eligible to compete using your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Personal Competencies (PC) and Employment Experience (EE) statements are not considered. You must also sit the Undergraduate Medicine & Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) and top UMAT performers must also attend a structured oral assessment. Applications will be ranked on the basis of all 3 components: the UMAT, oral assessment and STAT. *The age restriction is 19 years or over if you have completed either the Flinders Foundation course or the UniSA Foundation Studies program or the UniSA Program for Adult Learners. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme. See Wilto Yerlo for further information.
Additional entry requirements:	All applicants must sit the Undergraduate Medicine & Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT). Top UMAT performers will also be required to attend a structured oral assessment. See the Faculty of Health Sciences for further information
How to apply:	SATAC Code: 314701 Apply through SATAC SATAC application dates Application and Admission
Mid-year entry?	Subject to availability
Annual tuition fees:	Commonwealth-supported place: $8,677
General enquiries:	Student Centre

International

Selection criteria:	IELTS Total Reading Listening Speaking Writing 6.5 6 6 6 6 International TER 70
Additional entry requirements:	Additional entry requirements include performance in the Personal Qualities Assessment (PQA) and, if selected, a Structure Oral Assessment. Refer to the International Selection Document for more information.
How to apply:	Application information for international students Important application deadlines for international students
Mid-year entry?	No
Annual tuition fees:	International student place: $41,000
General enquiries:	Student Centre

Areas of Specialisation

There are four streams in each year of the BOH:

• The Dental and Health Science stream includes topics on communication, dental public health, diagnosis and the treatment of disease, health promotion and nutrition.
• Human Biology includes body chemistry, cell structure and function, anatomy and oral anatomy.
• Clinical Practice includes topics on the principles of clinical examinations, x-rays, orthodontics, periodontal disease and restorative dentistry.
• General Studies includes basic science, biostatistics and computing.

The program is delivered in a team context with Bachelor of Dental Surgery and TAFE Advanced Diploma of Oral Health (Hygiene) students.

Career Opportunities

It is envisaged that employment prospects will be excellent as there is expected to be a shortage of both therapists and hygienists in Australia over the next decade. Graduates are automatically eligible to register as a dental hygienist and dental therapist (where required) anywhere in Australia.

Potential careers

Dental Therapist

Graduate Attributes

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Oral Health, the graduates will have received education and training in the theory and practice of dental therapy and dental hygiene, to enable them to work in both private and government oral health services, in accordance with the legal and legislative limitations governing each Australian state.

Each graduate will have developed the skills which will enable them to:

• work as an integral part of the dental team providing holistic oral health care on an individual and community level
• recognise dental diseases and formulate strategies that address the treatment and preventive needs of each individual
• effectively manage patient care by integrating and applying basic, clinical, behavioural, and social sciences concepts to inform practice
• actively promote the importance of general and oral health to individuals in dental and community health settings
• work effectively with other allied health professionals to foster optimum oral health practices within the community
• use highly effective interpersonal skills to enable empathetic and effective communication with various groups, e.g. professional, policy-making bodies, community and patients.
• communicate effectively and provide education to people within a multicultural society that will encourage patterns of behaviour which favour effective oral health
• maintain the highest level of ethics and professionalism in the practice of dental hygiene and dental therapy
• display the highest levels of integrity in all aspects of professional life
• utilise the principles of self evaluation that will contribute to the continuous development of skills within their field of practice
• embrace the principles of lifelong learning that will enhance the practice of dental therapy and dental hygiene
  
• engage in self-directed lifelong learning by using reflection and critical self-assessment and be committed to ongoing professional development.

Useful Links

• Program Information Leaflet
• School of Dentistry
• Undergraduate Scholarships
• Student Centre enquiry form

Program Rules

Bachelor of Oral Health Program Rules